Sometimes, talking therapy costs are high, and not all health insurance plans provide coverage for them. However, there are online therapy options that can be free or low cost. In this article, we explain how to find an online therapist for free.
We also describe some alternative resources that can provide free or low-cost mental health support online. Online therapy is talking therapy, or counseling, that a person takes part in remotely. It provides an alternative to in-person talking therapy that be more suitable for many individuals. Sometimes, a person may not feel well enough to leave their home, they may have busy schedules, or they may feel safer speaking with someone online.
Reassuringly, research suggests that online therapy can be just as effective as in-person sessions. An older review from suggests telemental health is effective and increases access to support. A review confirms these findings, observing that this type of healthcare is:. A small, randomized trial from also indicates online treatment for depression is equally as helpful as in-person therapy.
The results suggest this treatment may lead to a longer-term reduction in symptoms 3 months after it ends, compared with in-person therapy. Other research indicates online cognitive behavioral therapy CBT is effective in the treatment of anxiety disorders.
A meta-analysis further supports the use of online CBT for anxiety and depressive disorders. Some organizations and therapists offer a set amount of free online therapy sessions to people experiencing anxiety , depression, and other mental health conditions.
These few sessions may provide a person with enough insight to help them determine their next steps, but for others, further care and support are necessary. Attending free sessions may help someone decide whether therapy is the right choice for them. Many employers offer access to counseling and talking therapies.
Companies often include these services within employee assistance programs, or EAPs, which are usually available by contacting a human resources HR department. Many college and university health centers offer free or low-cost counseling services to students. They may also offer stress management workshops and other mental health resources.
Sliding scale options are based on your income. You can also ask about shorter sessions which cost less or meet with your therapist less often, such as every other week. You may also want to consider a psychologist training clinic. Most of these clinics are at universities and colleges that are training their students to become licensed therapists. Local community mental health centers are another good resource. They tend to be more familiar with local neighborhood issues and cultural attitudes around mental health in the communities they serve.
They not only provide mental health assistance, but they can also reduce the stigma of mental illness. They have also been shown to help reduce suicide rates nationally. Online therapy allows you to meet with your therapist over a video call or correspond through text messages. Some online therapy services such as Therapy Aid , Talkspace , and BetterHelp offer free or discounted trials to new sign-ups.
No-cost options are available. All discussions are confidential. The number of sessions you can have is limited, but if you need to talk with someone immediately, this is definitely worth considering.
Nonprofits, volunteer, and local organizations offer many free support groups for grief , trauma, and addiction recovery. If you decide to pay to see a private therapist, make sure they're qualified and you feel comfortable with them. Many private therapists offer an initial free session and lower rates for students, job seekers and those on low wages. Some charities and voluntary organisations also offer counselling.
These organisations usually specialise in a particular area, such as couples counselling, bereavement or family guidance. You do not need a referral from a GP for an appointment for these services, but you may have to pay a fee to cover the cost of your sessions.
You may also be able to access support groups through your local community, church or social services. As counselling involves talking about sensitive issues and revealing personal thoughts and feelings, your counsellor should be experienced and professionally qualified. Reputable therapists will be registered with a professional organisation that's been accredited by the Professional Standards Authority PSA.
The people training to be psychologists, social workers, and family therapists have to get on-the-job experience, so most of the time, their services will be heavily discounted or even free, says Howes.
And if you're worried about seeing a trainee, don't worry: not only are they getting state-of-the-art training, they will also be supervised by someone who's licensed. Similarly, support groups — which are kind of like group therapy, but with an emphasis on education and community — are a low-cost or free option. Free NAMI-affiliated programs might be a good place to start looking find out more information here.
Pastoral counseling — AKA getting counseling from a trained minister, rabbi, priest, imam, etc. If your place of worship doesn't offer pastoral counseling or you want to go elsewhere for whatever reason, Howes says it's worth checking if they have a fund that might help you pay for outside therapy.
Obviously, mental health apps aren't a replacement for professional mental healthcare, but they can help provide you with skills and small ways to ease your symptoms. PsyberGuide is a great place to find software and apps for managing mental health conditions. You can search by your condition or by type of treatment and see expert reviews and ratings.
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